In a brazen evening assault, armed men struck the border community of Ora, leaving a trail of terror with the abduction of a retired Customs officer and the murder of a local chief. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the serene area, underscores the persistent security challenges in Nigeria's hinterlands.
Evening of Terror on Akisa Road
The attack unfolded on Monday, December 15, 2025, just before 7 p.m. along Akisa Road in Ora, Osun State. The primary victim, Emmanuel Owolabi, a retired officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, was seized in front of his own residence.
His wife, Titilayo Owolabi, provided a harrowing account of the event. She explained that her husband had visited her shop shortly after she closed around 6:30 p.m. He then left for another errand in the town while she returned home to prepare dinner.
"After finishing the meal and while waiting for my husband, I heard gunshots at the entrance to our compound," Titilayo recounted. "I initially thought the shots were from hunters, but the gunfire became sporadic. Later, I heard my husband's voice outside our fence."
Confrontation with the Kidnappers
Unaware that her husband was already in the clutches of the assailants, Titilayo ventured outside to investigate. The situation quickly turned dire. "One of the gunmen jumped over the fence into our compound. Those I saw were young boys," she said.
In a desperate attempt to communicate, she knelt and spoke to them in Hausa, having heard them converse in the language. Her plea was met with violence. "Instead of responding, he started beating me. He asked me for money. While all this was going on, they were firing shots," she narrated.
The ordeal reached its peak when she heard the sound of a motorcycle carrying her husband away into the nearby bush. The two gunmen inside her compound then scaled the fence and fled in the same direction. "My husband is a retired Customs officer. People should help us bring him back home safely," Titilayo appealed.
Fatal Escape and Police Response
As the kidnappers made their escape, they committed another heinous act. Community sources confirmed that the gunmen shot dead a village chief identified simply as Dennis, who was returning from his farm at the time. The police clarified that this murder occurred on the Kwara State side of the border.
The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident and the ongoing response. "Immediately the incident happened yesterday, police operatives and other volunteers chased after the gunmen. We are working hard to rescue the victim," Ojelabi stated.
He further announced that more deployment had been made to comb the bush in the area in a concerted effort to track down the perpetrators and secure the release of Emmanuel Owolabi.
This attack highlights the vulnerable security situation in border communities and raises urgent questions about the safety of retirees and rural dwellers. The combined efforts of police and local volunteers now represent the hope for a safe resolution to this distressing event.
